Sieda Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is celebrating National CACFP Week from March 17-23. The Sieda CACFP program currently serves child care providers across 12 counties. Furthermore, they work with 8 Sieda Head Start locations in our seven central counties.

Sieda CACFP Counties

Appanoose       Davis       Jefferson       Keokuk       Lucas       Mahaska

Marion       Monroe       Van Buren       Wapello       Wayne       Warren

CACFP’s Goals

Research reveals that CACFP is an influential factor in choosing quality child care. In short, parents are ensured that their child care center or home is giving nutritious meals and snacks to their child(ren). This is the CACFP’s first goal. The additional goals are:

1. Setting positive eating habits at the child’s earliest stages of development.
2. Reducing future health and education costs due to poor nutrition during early development.
3. Training and support of local child care personnel.

As a result, quality nutrition is the recipe for an all-around happier child with less illness and fatigue, that develops at a natural physical and intellectual pace.

In addition, providers receive nutrition education and services. CACFP offers training, reimbursements, and support to help providers serve nutritious meals and create a positive environment for children.  Likewise, the quality of child care in the community improves due to educational and financial resources available to caregivers through the CACFP.

CACFP Adds Up

To sum up, the National CACFP program provides approximately 2 billion meals and snacks. They reach over 4.4 million children daily in child care centers, family care homes, and after-school programs. Plus over 115,000 elderly persons in Adult Day Care. There are over 62,000 child care centers and 115,000 family child care providers working with 800 CACFP sponsors.

Finally, Sieda’s CACFP has nearly 80 providers enrolled. During FY2018 well over 386,000 meals and snacks were served at child cares centers and homes. CACFP was able to reimburse a total of nearly $552,000 that year to providers. That is an average of $430 a month given to providers that are on CACFP. Moreover, Head Start’s provided 66,000 CACFP sponsored meals and snacks. With a reimbursement going back to the Head Start Centers or school partners of nearly $150,000 a year.

Please join us in honoring all CACFP providers for their invaluable work done on behalf of Iowa children.